Genesis 1:29, an LGBT-friendly feminist vegetarian restaurant, opened at 12200 Euclid Avenue in late 1970. Named after the Bible verse Genesis 1:29 (“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth…“), Genesis 1:29 was the first vegetarian restaurant to open in Cleveland. Genesis’ six co-owners – Jimmy Achtenburg, Jim Bonner, Danny Butler, Joey Good, Michael Overholser, and Todd Winship – operated the restaurant as a collective and frequently regularly with local health food stores and organizations to produce the restaurant’s menu items. Genesis’ menu featured a variety of house-made vegetarian meals, the majority of which included a combination of brown rice, “fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and homemade bread.” Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Genesis 1:29 served as a meeting spot for numerous LGBT+ and feminist individuals, groups, and organizations.
Additional information coming soon.
Resources
- “A Coming of Age.” Plain Dealer. July 12, 1978.
- Beighle, Janet. “Vegetables Are Fine – With A Protein Bracer.” Plain Dealer. December 9, 1971.
- French, Janet Beighle. “Goodness In A Bowl.” Plain Dealer. June 25, 1978.
- Hirschfield, Mary. “Mary Hirschfield Hears.” Plain Dealer. May 18, 1973.
- Listed in Gay People’s Chronicle Resource Directory.
- “Odds’n’Ends…” High Gear. March 1978. Page 18.
- Strang, Jim. “Vegetarians No Longer Kook Group.” Plain Dealer. June 8, 1975.